CHAPTER VA DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE
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“YOU have not met Dick Fletcher?” said Ralph Granger in surprise.
“Yes, we only parted from him this morning.”
“Did he rob you?”
“No, but he tried to.”
Here Obed gave an account of Fletcher’s searching his pockets during the night.
“I am afraid he will turn up again,” said Granger apprehensively.
“We’ll try to be ready for him,” said Obed coolly, “but I don’t mean to borrow any trouble.”
By this time their new acquaintance had satisfied his hunger. He turned gratefully to Obed Stackpole.
“How can I thank you for your great kindness?” he said earnestly. “I feel that you have saved my life.”
“Tut, tut,” said Obed, “I’ve only done as you would have done in my place. How long is it since you parted company with that skunk, Fletcher?”
“I think it is only seven days, but it has seemed a month.”
“And didn’t you meet anybody humane enough to relieve your hunger?”
“During the first four days, but not for the last three. Part of the time I lost my way, and did not meet any one. I hope you will never know such torments as I have known in that time.”
“Amen to that! And now, my friend, what are your plans?”
“I should like to go back to Melbourne,” said the stranger hesitatingly.
“If you say so, we’ll fit you out with three days’ provisions, and you can push on.”
“I hardly like to go alone.”
“I am sorry, for your sake, that we are going the other way. You see we haven’t made our pile yet, and must go on. I’ll tell you what you’d better do, Granger. Come along with us, and join the first party we meet bound for the city. You will, at all events, be sure of your victuals till then.”
“I believe your advice to be good, and will accept your kind invitation. The tea and food have put new life in me, and my strength has returned.”
They did not travel long together, however, for before nightfall they fell in with a party of eight persons bound for Melbourne, who agreed to let him join them.
“Good-bye, Granger,” said Obed, as they parted. “I think you’re all right now.”
Toward the close of the day they entered a much pleasanter country. In place of sandy clay, baked hard in the sun, alternating here and there with a moist bog, they came to tall grass, trees of great height, and meadows suitable for grazing. The cattle revelled in the rich feed, and Obed suffered them to eat their fill, feeling that they had worked hard and deserved it. Though it was rather earlier than usual, they decided to encamp for the night near the margin of a creek, shaded by trees of a gigantic size.
They slept soundly all night, but they got readyto move at seven, the boys having made sure of a bath first. They were not to proceed far, however. About ten o’clock, as they were skirting the woods, six men on horseback rode out from the leafy covert. They seemed inclined to dispute the passage of the party.
“What can they want?” ejaculated Harry, with a startled look.
“I expect they are bushrangers,” said Obed.